With their cute vintage look, cult following, and carefree nature, VW camper vans have been a staple on the road trip circuit for decades. Since their heyday in the 1960s, they’ve never fallen out of fashion. And lucky for all of us, even though they’re out of production now, there are still plenty of places where you can rent VW camper.
These days, people rent a VW camper bus for all sorts of reasons. Some are couples or small families ready to hit the open road on an old-fashioned road trip, while others use them for temporary housing. It’s also become popular to rent out VW camper to use at a party or a wedding as a photo backdrop or prop.
No matter what your reasons are for wanting to rent a VW camper van, we’re here to help you figure out where to find one and what to know before you book. Read on to learn some tips and tricks to rent classic VW camper van.
Where to Rent VW Camper Van for the Weekend
Finding a VW camper for rent is a bit different than renting another type of RV. For starters, many of the large RV dealerships and rental companies don’t have VWs in their fleets, so it’s not as easy as renting another type of motorhome or camper van. But don’t worry — because of their cult-like status, there are actually dozens of companies around the country that specialize in exclusively offer VW camper rental.
There’s a better way to find rentals than by Googling “Where can I rent a VW camper van?” Many of the VW rental companies are located in coastal cities, so if you live in a state that borders the water, you’ll probably have luck searching something like “VW camper rentals Florida” or “VW campers for rent in California.” Because VW camper van rental companies are few and far between, you may have to drive a couple of hours to pick up your camper, but it’ll be worth it in the end!
If you live in a place where there’s no VW camper rental company within driving distance, don’t give up just yet. Many people aren’t aware, but there’s a growing trend of RV owners renting out their vehicles on peer to peer rental sites, which basically work the same way as Airbnb. It’s a godsend for travelers coming from smaller cities since it allows you to find a VW camper van to rent from owners in your area who are willing to rent it out to you directly. As a bonus, most of the time it’s much cheaper to find a rental on the peer to peer sites, since RV owners don’t have the same overhead costs as a formal business would.
What to Know About VW Camper Hire
One of the most important things you’ll need to know before finding a VW camper to rent: Many of them come with a manual transmission, so you may need to recruit someone who knows how to drive stick shift. If you must hire a VW campervan automatic, many of the VW campers from the ’80s come with automatic transmission, so don’t give up the search! Either way, it’s best to give companies in your area a call to double check what they’ve got in their fleets.
Due to their age, be aware that some of the vans don’t come with modern conveniences like air conditioning or power steering, so it’s something to consider before your trip (especially if you plan on traveling during the hot summer months).
How to Hire a VW Camper for a Wedding
With the rise of social media like Instagram, it’s becoming increasingly popular for couples to work in a VW camper as part of the decor for their special day. There’s good reason for that — the vans are colorful, splashy, a little bit kitschy, and they just have this way of putting a smile on people’s faces.
Luckily, renting a VW camper for a wedding is often even easier than renting one for an actual road trip. Because you won’t be driving it or putting any additional wear and tear on the vehicle, most VW owners are happy to rent out their campers for special events. Be aware that you may have to pay a deposit to ensure no damage is done to the vehicle, but most companies specializing in VW rentals are used to getting requests for special events and have a separate set of rates for these occasions. Again, you can also check with VW owners on peer to peer rental sites if you’re on a budget, but be sure to check out the vehicle in person first so you can assess the quality.
Hiring a VW Camper for the Day
Even if you’re not hosting a wedding, there may be other reasons you want to hire a VW camper for the day. Maybe it’s a special weekend or birthday activity for your kids, or maybe you just feel like taking one for a spin before you buy one of your own. While many VW rental companies require a three-night (or more) minimum, if you try renting during the off season (fall, winter, and spring in most places, but during the summer in warmer places like Florida) or on a weekday, you can usually get companies to relax their policies.
Another option is to see if you can split the rental with a few other families. If you have to rent for the whole week, for example, each family could have the camper for a couple of nights.
And, You’re Off!
Ready to hit the road? No matter whether your game plan includes a two-week roadtrip, a simple weekend getaway, or a 24-hour whirlwind, you’ll never regret it when you rent Volkswagen camper USA.
One final thing to note: Get ready for some major attention! VW campers command a serious prescence whether you’re parked at a campground or cruising down the highway, so prepare yourself for the papparazzi. Safe travels, and happy camping!